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Pure Steel Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 14.08.2019 | Released: 16.08.2019
You're never too old to rock n roll, or bang your head. Seminal Dutch metal band Picture was spawned some 40 years. In the last 10 years, they've had something of renaissance. Picture literally "got the band back together" with original players Ronald van Prooien on vocals, Jan Bechtum on guitars, Rinus Vreugdenhil on bass guitar, and Laurens Bakker on drums. Most recently, they've added a second guitarist, and keyboard player, with Appie de Gelder. Picture returns with the third long player, Wings, since reuniting back in 2008.
What you have with Picture is solid and classic heavy metal rock. Their metal is completely guitar-forward with twin guitar harmony, soaring and searing guitar solos, and then richly infused with hard rock groove. If you love lead guitar work you will be pleased with this album. Many songs begin with a frisky flaring guitar line which is reinforced by tough riffs, steady bass work, and thundering drums. For his part, van Prooen is a solid metal vocalist, singing clean and melodic with impressive range.
As for the songs within Wings, here's few choice samples. For some songs with a strong guitar start before ripping into heavy metal rock, listen for Line Of Life, Blown Away, or Little Annie. With Blown Away, Is It Real, and Still Standing, Picture shifts into fifth gear with some faster rocking heavy metal. Alternatively, No Place To Hide offers more straight forward riff driven steady heavy metal. Then there's Stroke which offers something a bit more complex, perhaps visiting more prog rock. There's a break down around two minutes where vocals give way to drums over symphonic synths. Eventually, the riffs and voice return, the song rises, and the guitar solos roar. It's likely the best song here. Listen to the video below.
All in all, with Wings, Picture proves that age is just number. These heavy metal veterans deliver another solid and entertaining album of melodic heavy metal rock. Recommended.
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With Wings, Picture proves that age is just number. These heavy metal veterans deliver another solid and entertaining album of melodic heavy metal rock. Recommended.
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